Patents and the Merchants' Guild
[Patents]
Once a patent application is approved, usage fees apply. After paying the fee once, the payer can use the patented technology indefinitely. Twenty percent of the fee goes to the guild as a handling charge.
If someone uses patented technology without paying, harsh penalties await—imprisonment or even being enslaved—so most people pay properly. Of course, only those using it for profit need to pay; personal use is free.
That was the explanation I received from my father.
It’s basically the same as patents in my previous life. But since cooking, fashion, and such are from my previous life memories and not my own original ideas, I feel a little hesitant about collecting usage fees.
“Umm… by the way, what did you patent?”
When I heard my father’s answer, my eyes went wide.
Everything I had ever made in our house—from dried fruit and dried sweet potato dishes to cocktails, even what I had cooked in the knight dormitory—was patented. On top of that, there were patents on underwear, fashion, and even feeding ale to dairy cows after childbirth…
The usage fees were 30,000G for cooking, 100,000G for fashion, and 10,000G for the dairy cow-related ones.
“Ahahaha, Joan, it seems you could live off patent fees alone.”
Karim’s dad laughed while saying something terrifying.
“No, no. What value is there in profiting without effort? I think things gained through honest sweat are far more meaningful.”
“…………”
For some reason, my father, the Karim family, and even the Smith family steward froze, mouths open.
Everyone, if you keep your mouths open like that, flies will get in.
Had I said something strange?
Seeing me tilt my head in confusion, Karim quickly recovered and said,
“Kukuku, that’s Joan for you. You’re not like a normal noble lady. Impressive as always.”
“Huh? What is? I’m normal too, you know.”
“No, normal noble ladies would hate working hard and sweating. But I think you being yourself is perfect. Probably everyone in our class would agree.”
“I… don’t really understand, but… thanks?”
＊＊＊＊＊
“Father, what happens with the money from the usage fees?”
Back at the mansion, I immediately asked my father.
“Joan, what is this? Coming back and asking such things—what happened?”
My mother asked, so I told her about what had happened at the Smith residence.
“I see… in that case, it’s kept at the Merchants' Guild.”
“The Merchants' Guild?”
“Yes. Come to think of it, you’ve never been there, have you? Well then, you should go now.”
“Yes…”
I had no choice but to comply, and so I set off to the Merchants' Guild with Pearl and Meteor.
“Man, you really can’t go against the Lady, huh? I got scolded last time I messed up, and that was almost as scary as being glared at by a Diamond Wolf,” Meteor said while flying alongside me on Pearl.
“Wait, Meteor, what did you do to get scolded by Mother?”
“Ah… well, I caught a little rat in the field and tried to eat it on the roof, but dropped it… right on top of the Lady.”
“Wha!? What a suicidal act… What happened to the rat? Wait, what’s a rat?”
Pearl shivered as she ran skillfully.
“Ah, a giant rat. And the little rat got shredded by the Lady’s wind magic…”
“… Ah…”
Pearl and I were both satisfied with that explanation.
Yep, the No.1 person you absolutely don’t go against is Mother…
The General’s Merchants' Guild faced the Fountain Plaza. Unlike the Adventurer or Tamer Guilds, it had double doors rather than swinging doors, which opened fully during business hours. Inside, a reception desk stood immediately at the entrance, and beyond that, a long counter ran along the wall. Benches were set up in front for people to wait, just like a bank in my previous life.
“Welcome! How can I help you today?”
I was staring blankly when the receptionist, a strikingly beautiful woman with a perfect figure, spoke to me. Seriously, her curves were enviable.
Receptionists are the face of the shop, after all. Picking attractive staff is universal.
Also, I kind of want to know what you have to eat to get a chest like that.
“Uh, umm… this is my first time here… but apparently I’m already registered…”
“Alright, let’s check. Your name, please?”
“Joan Lampail.”
“Joan… Lampail? You mean the lord’s daughter?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Pl-please wait a moment—!”
The receptionist dashed out, climbing the stairs to the second floor three steps at a time.
“Wow… even in those high heels.”
Everyone nearby and the counter staff watched, alternating between me and the upstairs stairs.
I felt embarrassed… Should I just leave?
Just as I was about to suggest that to Pearl and Meteor on my shoulder, the sound of running footsteps came down the stairs from the second floor.
“H-H-Hurry… sorry to keep you waiting.”
With her came a strikingly handsome young man. His long blond hair was loosely braided down his back, green eyes behind silver-rimmed glasses, and his outfit had a neutral, almost Nicki-like style. His ears were pointed…
“Pleased to meet you, Joan. I am Myrau, Guildmaster here.”
Oh… the Guildmaster of our territory’s Merchants' Guild was a handsome elf.
What do you think about this chapter?
